Australia scored a resounding victory of 184 runs in the fourth test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, taking a 2-1 lead in the 5-match series with a dominant performance in both batting and bowling. After setting a massive target of 340 runs for India in the final innings, Australia’s players put in a ruthless performance, reducing India to just 155 in their second innings.
Steve Smith leads Australia’s dominant first innings
Australia posted a mammoth 474 in their first innings, led by a brilliant 60 from Konstas himself and a well-crafted 57 from Usman Khawaja. Marnus Labuschagne He contributed valuable runs, with a brilliant 72. Steve SmithHowever, he was the main destroyer, destroying a tremendous century. He ended up scoring 140 runs in 197 deliveries.
Australia’s middle order, which includes michel marsh and Alex Careycontributed crucial runs, and the tail swung to take the score over 470. For India, jasprit bumrah was the outstanding bowler with three wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja he claimed two, including a vital contribution to dismissing Australia’s highest order. India struggled to consistently make progress while Australia established partnerships, ultimately making India a daunting target.
Nitish Reddy rescues India
In response, India’s batting faltered under pressure and despite a tremendous century reddy nitish and a brave 81 of Yashasvi JaiswalIndia were bowled out for 369. The Indian middle order collapsed, with Virat Kohli (36), RISHABH PANTS (28) and Jadeja (17) failed to convert their openings. Cummins and the Australian bowlers dominated as the Indian batting order crumbled, leaving Australia with a 105-run lead heading into the second innings.
Also WATCH: Jasprit Bumrah flashes intense ‘death glare’ after dismissing Nathan Lyon on Day 5 of MCG Test – AUS vs IND
Australia’s second innings and India’s collapse
Australia’s second innings saw a steady collapse and were restricted to 234, with a solid 70 from Labuschagne. Bumrah again played a key role, picking up five wickets. Despite some contributions, Australia’s total was within India’s reach on the final day. But his pursuit proved to be an arduous task.
Australia’s bowlers, led by Pat CumminsThey were relentless. Cummins finished with 3 wickets in India’s second innings, with Boland and Lyon also playing a pivotal role in the collapse. The final day saw the Indian batting line-up struggle against a determined Australian bowling attack. While Jaiswal scored a valiant 84, wickets fell at regular intervals. Cummins led the attack with precision and Boland supported effectively, leading to India’s dismissal for 155, 184 runs short of the target.
This is how the fans reacted:
THE AUSSIANS WIN!!!
Bay 13 is going absolutely crazy 🤯🤯🤯#AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/eLPFkpjWBu
– Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) December 30, 2024
One of the best CGM tests of all time. #AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/D9CFWgoIMY
—Adam Collins (@collinsadam) December 30, 2024
The Australians win!!!! 👏
Remarkable victory in front of a record crowd
One of the great victories of all time 👍
Series now 2/1 in favor of Australia#AusvInd pic.twitter.com/5W7OtSumyZ– Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) December 30, 2024
Incredible scenes in Melbourne as Australia clinch fourth Test 🎉#WTC25 | #AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/5gqRYRTzLQ
— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2024
One of, if not THE, best Test matches of all time.
370,000 people at the MCG.
Simply epic. A privilege to have been here to witness it.
Hallucinatory. 🤯@7Cricket | #AUSWIND
– Trent Copeland (@copes9) December 30, 2024
One of the best Test matches I have ever seen. Twists, turns and more twists. Bow on both sides. Incredible 👏
Who in the world would defend four-day Test cricket? 🤦♂️ #TryBoxingDay #Cricket #AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/EqT7ydpFQY
—Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) December 30, 2024
#AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/ivVPUZhH9u
—Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 30, 2024
Without words… 🏏🇦🇺
Maybe it’s the best game I’ve ever seen… ❤️
How can you summarize this? 😭#AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/iTqonp59Wh
-Lachy (@Lachy_Steele) December 30, 2024
This Test match was an absolute beauty. Pure cricket, many emotions and many moments of back and forth.
Australia played very well, congratulations to them and bad luck to the Indian team. We fought very hard but we could not win or draw this match.
The fifth test match will be a blockbuster 🏏…-Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) December 30, 2024
#TeamIndia fought hard
Australia wins the match
Dashboard ▶️ https://t.co/njfhCncRdL#AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/n0W1symPkM
-BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2024
YOU HAVE TO FEEL FOR JASPRIT BUMRAH.
– 30 wickets in a series with 4 five-wicket hauls, but still India failed to win the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. His heroic acts will be remembered for centuries!! 🫡🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/CD5TvGEEI1
-Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 30, 2024
🚨 AUSTRALIA WON THE BOXING DAY TEST AGAINST INDIA AFTER 12 YEARS. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/tyiVJhtvXU
—Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 30, 2024
Good afternoon Frndz🥴
Australia won the fourth test match 🤧 pic.twitter.com/wDNmXtLf3B
– Vathi Singaram (@singaramoffl) December 30, 2024